I make a lot of contacts in my line of work, The Unofficial thieves guild, being one of them. I’ve met several members in my travels. I liked dealing with them much better than the Cammon Tong. Luckily I didn’t have far to travel. One of my closest neighbors was a Doyen for the infamous Guild. I walk up to the door and rap lightly. As expected no one answers. Its possible nobodies home, but even if she were… She never answers.
I look around, feeling very uncomfortable with doing this in the middle of town in broad day light. I remove a lock pick, from my inner pocket and go to work. It takes me a minute, as my nerves are shot, and I keep having that feeling that someone is watching me.
CLICK…. I hear that sweet sound, and turn the doorknob slowly, doing my best to conceal my entrance. I only manage to get one foot inside, when I feel a sharp blade to my throat.”
“
Long time no see S’Krivva” I still can’t see the holder of the dagger to my neck, she stands just to the side of me, and keeps me from turning my head with the tip of her blade. “
Dangerous game your playing Duric. Trying to sneak your way in to my house.” The woman’s voice is calm and cool. I don’t move my head, but I slowly squeeze the rest of my body through the door, and shut it behind me. “
I need your help S’Krivva… I need to see the Fox.” The blade gently slides up the surface of my neck, and turns, placing its sharp edge against my chin, forcing me to raise my head slightly. “
You know better than that Duric. The Gray Fox doesn’t see anyone.” I take a deep breath, feeling as if I’m wasting time. “
He’s going to see me.” S’Krivva laughs mockingly at the remark. “
You come in my house with threats Duric?” She’s right, I’m going about this all wrong. I turn my head into the blade. It cuts my chin slightly. S’Krivva lowers the blade.
I knew she didn’t have any intention of hurting me. “
No S’Krivva” I look her in the eye, the room was dark, but the fire in the next room reflected brilliantly in the Khajiit’s eyes. “
I need your help.. I guess you’ve heard about Syilvia?” S’krivva sheaths her dagger and turns, motioning me with her hand to follow as she goes into the other room. She takes a seat by the fire place and looks up at me.
“
Yes Duric… I am sorry about that, but I don’t know what happened to her. I heard she was taken at night, forced from your home by three men, not of this town. That is all I know.” I approach her slowly, always cautious with my movements around a member of the Thieves Guild. It seems years of their membership can often lead to a bad case of Paranoia. S’Krivva was never like that, but it has been over a year since I seen her last. People can change over an amount of time such as that.
“
Yes, but your connections in Bravil are limited at best. The Gray Fox gets reports from every member all over Cyrodiil, he may know more about why Syilvia was taken, and where.” There is a long pause, I make it a point not to interrupt. I can see it in her face that she’s contemplating it. She changes the subject slightly.. I take it as a bad sign. “
You know the Black Hand has named you. The Dark Brotherhood is searching for you as we speak?” I’m reminded of that very fact. “
Yes, they already tried to kill me in Leyawiin. This is why I must hurry.”
S’Krivva looks down for a moment before speaking again. “
I hadn’t heard that.” She raises her head slightly returning my gaze. “
You look tired Duric… I’m sorry about Syilvia, but I can’t promise anything when it comes to the Gray Fox. Still, you are welcome to stay here, and get some rest. I wouldn’t trust the Inn’s at a time like this.” She’s right, I hadn’t thought about it, but I haven’t slept in days. Just coming to the realization pulls at me like a rope. Fatigue drains from my body, as I feel worn for the first time since I’ve docked in Leyawiin.
“
I understand S’Krivva, and I’ll take you up on your offer. I could use a good nap I think. First I do have one more question for you though…. You have anything to eat?”
I make myself a bed upstairs on the floor. I was used to sleeping on hard surfaces from being away at sea for weeks on end. Hard waters were impossible to sleep through, and often left you on the floor anyway. The Hammocks on the ship were the only thing that actually made me feel sea sickness. So the hard wooden surface made me feel right at home. My stomach was finally satisfied from the large plate of fruits, followed by a decent meal S’Krivva made me. I still found myself very cautious with each bite inspecting the food before me.
I slept uneasy. Awaking every few minutes, startled at my surroundings. I guess knowing their was an assassin hunting you, could do that to a person. Still I slept better than I imagined. I probably would of woke up refreshed, if it weren’t for the nightmares. I couldn’t make them out. It came in random images, but some I recognized. Flashes of the cave with the deceased Dumner were aplenty. Yet In some flashes he was still alive…. Running.
Then in the woods. Again, I could see the dark elf running from something. It chased him… into the cave. Then I could see the Alchemy equipment, but there was more there, than when I visited. Vials of what appeared to be blood. The Dumner was working there. Then His lifeless corpse. The bloodstained room. And the werewolve emerging from the bushes. It was random, and obviously out of order. Yet my dreams usually appeared that way.
I awoke to a candlelit room. The light could no longer be seen through the holes in the windows, and I find myself confused of what day it is, and whether it was still day at all. Just then S’Krivva makes her way up the stairs holding a tray that has two cups of what appears to be tea balanced on its surface. “
Good Evening Duric, I hope you slept well.” I stretch and yawn, before taking the ceramic cup she offers me. “
As good as could be expected under the circumstances I suppose.”
I take a sip of the warm tea, and hear thunder as a flash of lightning can be seen lighting up the area ouside the window. I look at S’Krivva’s worried face. I know that look, I seem to be getting it a lot lately. She has bad news for me. “
What is it S’Krivva?” She lowers her hand and places her cup on a nearby desk. I just received this alittle while ago. She pulls a parchment of somekind from beneath the tray and tosses to me.
I catch it, unrolling it quickly. It was this evenings edition of the Black Horse Courier. My eyes begin scanning the words, but don’t have to travel far.
LEYWAIIN MASSACRE LEAVES 13 DEAD
My eyes travel faster now, scanning the names…. They are… They are the names of my crew... Right along with Mazoga, and the three victims of the werewolf. It mentions the Dumner in the cave, the two guards, Mazoga, and the rest are members of my crew. It says they were murdered in their sleep over night. Nine crew members. A lot of them had families, and all of them were my friends. The Brotherhood… It had to be.
Two crew members weren’t on the list. They also just happened to be the only two members that didn’t live in Leyawiin. Treylen lived in Anvil, he had his own small vessel that he sailed from Leyawiin to Home and back. The other was Verina a fellow Imperial who just happened to live here in Bravil as well. I crumple the letter in my hand. “
WHY?... What in OBLIVION is going ON?!” I rise quickly from my feet. "
I have to go."
S’Krivva looks at me concerned. “
I’m sorry for the loss of your crew Duric, but you must not be to hasty. I’ve decided to grant you an audience with the Gray Fox. It will take some time, but I have already sent a messenger to him. Someone will contact you shortly, with a meeting point.” Its no good, I’ve tuned her out. I hear her words, but cannot concentrate enough to comprehend them at the moment. I just repeat myself. “
I’ve got to go. Verina could still be alive, and if she is... shes in danger. I have to warn her before its too late.”